Utah 6a - Capitol Reef National Park
Jun 23, 2017 19:33:02 GMT -5
captbob, quartz, and 4 more like this
Post by 150FromFundy on Jun 23, 2017 19:33:02 GMT -5
Day 6 started with a drive through Capitol Reef National Park. Like so many other parks in Utah, this is another jaw dropper if you are into geology and imagining what the earth use to be like a few hundred million years ago.
Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey, Utah
The main geologic feature of the park is the Waterpocket Fold. This “buckle” in the earth crust is about 100 miles long and was created when one side of the fold was uplifted by as much as 7,000 feet above the other side of the fold. Runoff from the high mesa cut through the exposed cliffs creating deep canyons.
Although the rock layers in the fold range from as old as 270 million years to as young as 80 million years, the fold itself was believed to have been created 50 to 70 million years ago.
Twin Rocks
At the park entrance, we were greeted by two sentinels. (Caution – Rocks may be larger than they appear.)
Panorama Point
The next feature just down the road was Panorama Point where the three characteristic layers of bedrock are visible. The top layer is Wingate Sandstone (200 MY) that formed from windblown sandstone when a desert larger than the Sahara existed here. The middle layer is the Chinle Formation (225 MY) that formed when volcanic ash covered a swampy floodplain. The bottom layer is the Moenkopi Formation (245 MY) formed when sediments were deposited in a subtropical tidal delta.
Goosenecks Overlook
The next feature just down the road is known as the Goosenecks Overlook where Sulphur Creek has cut through the sedimentary rock layers. It’s hard to believe this creek this little creek did all that, but it’s not monsoon season.
Fruita is for Turkeys
Fruita is irrigated by the Freemont River, making it an ideal location for orchards which have existed here since the early pioneers settled the valley. These turkeys were a few that got on the wrong side of the orchard fence and were separated from the rest of the flock. They do not appear to be the most intelligent birds and we were tempted to simply pick them us and toss them over the fence.
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Petroglyphs
The early pioneers that established the orchards were not the first ones here. There is evidence of the early Freemont people, or was it Ancient Aliens?
Rockfall Hazard Area
Every once in a while a particular trail stands out above the other trails. We took this one. Any questions?
Waterpockets
Although we were not blessed with any rockfalls, we did get up close and personal with the waterpockets that give the fold its name. These are a characteristic erosion patterns that form from seepage and freeze/thaw cycles. The area is covered with black basalt boulders that look out of place with the sedimentary rock. Obviously, someone was shooting hoops with this one.
Boulders
Here are a few more of those black basalt boulders that litter the surface of the sedimentary rock.
Rock Squirrel
Rock squirrels are common here. I think they may like the rocks. I never realized how disproportionately long their fingers and toes are.
Side-Blotched Lizard
These lizards are also common here. They scurry beneath your feet staying just ahead of your footsteps. The ID is not positive, but I think this is the side-blotched based on the blue tones on the underside. How do you tell a tourist from a local? The tourist is the one chasing after the lizard trying to convince it to stay still for a photo op.
Pricklypear Cactus
There were plenty of wildflowers along the trail, but the vibrant colours of the cactus flowers stole the show.
The Scenic Drive
After a few hours of climbing up and down a desert trail, we were in need of a nice cool drive and a face full of AC. Perfect for the Scenic Drive which follows the Waterpocket Fold for several miles.
The Scenic Drive
Hot Rocks
It says we are good for a day, but we only spent about an hour in this area. I guess that makes me a chicken and not a turkey. Signs like this definitely heighten the adventure.
Unbelievable
The thin band of yellow-grey rock is the Shinarump member of the Chinle Formation. This layer of river-deposited sandstone contains trace amounts of uranium. Early prospecting began here in 1904 when uranium was believed to cure rheumatism and just about anything else that ailed you. Ore from these deposits was crushed and worn in pouches and consumed directly as tonics.
Further mining occurred in the 1950’s when the AEC encouraged uranium mining throughout the Colorado plateau. Even National Park lands were not protected during the greatest demand period for uranium.
Darryl.
Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey, Utah
The main geologic feature of the park is the Waterpocket Fold. This “buckle” in the earth crust is about 100 miles long and was created when one side of the fold was uplifted by as much as 7,000 feet above the other side of the fold. Runoff from the high mesa cut through the exposed cliffs creating deep canyons.
Although the rock layers in the fold range from as old as 270 million years to as young as 80 million years, the fold itself was believed to have been created 50 to 70 million years ago.
Twin Rocks
At the park entrance, we were greeted by two sentinels. (Caution – Rocks may be larger than they appear.)
Panorama Point
The next feature just down the road was Panorama Point where the three characteristic layers of bedrock are visible. The top layer is Wingate Sandstone (200 MY) that formed from windblown sandstone when a desert larger than the Sahara existed here. The middle layer is the Chinle Formation (225 MY) that formed when volcanic ash covered a swampy floodplain. The bottom layer is the Moenkopi Formation (245 MY) formed when sediments were deposited in a subtropical tidal delta.
Goosenecks Overlook
The next feature just down the road is known as the Goosenecks Overlook where Sulphur Creek has cut through the sedimentary rock layers. It’s hard to believe this creek this little creek did all that, but it’s not monsoon season.
Fruita is for Turkeys
Fruita is irrigated by the Freemont River, making it an ideal location for orchards which have existed here since the early pioneers settled the valley. These turkeys were a few that got on the wrong side of the orchard fence and were separated from the rest of the flock. They do not appear to be the most intelligent birds and we were tempted to simply pick them us and toss them over the fence.
[/URL]Petroglyphs
The early pioneers that established the orchards were not the first ones here. There is evidence of the early Freemont people, or was it Ancient Aliens?
Rockfall Hazard Area
Every once in a while a particular trail stands out above the other trails. We took this one. Any questions?
Waterpockets
Although we were not blessed with any rockfalls, we did get up close and personal with the waterpockets that give the fold its name. These are a characteristic erosion patterns that form from seepage and freeze/thaw cycles. The area is covered with black basalt boulders that look out of place with the sedimentary rock. Obviously, someone was shooting hoops with this one.
Boulders
Here are a few more of those black basalt boulders that litter the surface of the sedimentary rock.
Rock Squirrel
Rock squirrels are common here. I think they may like the rocks. I never realized how disproportionately long their fingers and toes are.
Side-Blotched Lizard
These lizards are also common here. They scurry beneath your feet staying just ahead of your footsteps. The ID is not positive, but I think this is the side-blotched based on the blue tones on the underside. How do you tell a tourist from a local? The tourist is the one chasing after the lizard trying to convince it to stay still for a photo op.
Pricklypear Cactus
There were plenty of wildflowers along the trail, but the vibrant colours of the cactus flowers stole the show.
The Scenic Drive
After a few hours of climbing up and down a desert trail, we were in need of a nice cool drive and a face full of AC. Perfect for the Scenic Drive which follows the Waterpocket Fold for several miles.
The Scenic Drive
Hot Rocks
It says we are good for a day, but we only spent about an hour in this area. I guess that makes me a chicken and not a turkey. Signs like this definitely heighten the adventure.
Unbelievable
The thin band of yellow-grey rock is the Shinarump member of the Chinle Formation. This layer of river-deposited sandstone contains trace amounts of uranium. Early prospecting began here in 1904 when uranium was believed to cure rheumatism and just about anything else that ailed you. Ore from these deposits was crushed and worn in pouches and consumed directly as tonics.
Further mining occurred in the 1950’s when the AEC encouraged uranium mining throughout the Colorado plateau. Even National Park lands were not protected during the greatest demand period for uranium.
Darryl.
What a shame.
